What does it mean to be an AI-native employee—and why will they win? In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Thibault Imbert, Chief Product and Growth Officer at The Brief, breaks down the tools, mindsets, and skills redefining productivity and creativity in the AI era. From mastering conversational AI to prototyping in real time with voice and visual tools, Thibault shares what it takes to thrive in a rapidly evolving workplace. We explore how creative tools are changing the way we ideate, build, and communicate—and why 70% is the new zero when it comes to speed and experimentation. You’ll learn: • Why mastering conversational AI is now a business advantage • How visual creation tools accelerate innovation • What “AI-native” workflows look like in real teams • How to go from idea to prototype using voice and visual AI • Why empathy still matters—even in an AI-first world Whether you’re building products, leading teams, or just trying to keep up with AI, this episode will leave you rethinking how you work. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 04:30 The Journey of AI Transformation 09:52 Mastering Conversational AI 15:52 Visual Creation and Concepting Ideas 23:10 Voice as a Creative Output 27:45 Prototyping and Building in Real Time 32:58 Innovative Tools for Research and Presentation

What does it take to build a biotech company without burning billions—or losing your conviction? In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Felicia Shakiba sits down with Dr. Shalabh Gupta, Founder & CEO of Unicycive Therapeutics, a physician-turned-Wall-Street-analyst who built and took a biotech company public in a way few ever do. Dr. Gupta shares how he raised $150M+ in public markets, went public with just one employee, and scaled to FDA submission readiness with only 22 people—all without relying on traditional Silicon Valley venture capital. This conversation unpacks what real CEO discipline looks like in one of the most unforgiving industries in the world—and what leaders in any industry can learn from it. You’ll learn: • Why great CEOs start with the problem—not the product • How to scale a capital-intensive business with radical focus • Why FDA alignment is a leadership skill, not a regulatory hurdle • How public-market thinking changes founder decision-making • What investors actually look for in CEO credibility and trust Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Unisysive Therapeutics 04:27 Innovative Approach to Biotech 07:55 Understanding the Biotech Landscape 10:39 Transition from Medicine to Wall Street 14:08 Lessons from Genentech 19:46 Building a Company Alone 22:47 The Importance of Networking 27:00 Engaging with the FDA 30:57 Raising Capital in Biotech 41:58 Navigating Investor Relationships This episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, capital discipline, and building companies that last. — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter Need support scaling leadership or culture? Let’s talk: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/contact-us

Can financial education turn athletes into powerful investors? In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Danny Cortenraede shares his journey from entrepreneur to investor and mentor, helping athletes and early-stage startups build long-term wealth. Drawing from his background scaling multiple companies, Danny now leads initiatives that teach athletes how to make smart investment decisions, build their financial literacy, and take control of their legacy beyond the field. We explore how his work at LEAD is shaping a new generation of athlete-entrepreneurs—through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world exposure to capital strategy. You’ll learn: • Why 80% of startups fail—and how to avoid it • How athletes can transition from endorsements to equity • What startup founders should know about scaling to Series A • Why real estate is a powerful entry point for investing • How LEAD is building an ecosystem of athlete-driven innovation Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Danny Cortenraede 01:16 Danny's Entrepreneurial Journey 04:28 Transitioning to Investment and Education 10:00 The Importance of Financial Literacy for Athletes 19:36 Building the Athlete Council and Educational Initiatives 26:51 Success Stories and Impact of Education 31:33 Changing Perspectives on Investment Among Athletes 34:14 Mindset for Lasting Legacy Whether you’re a founder, investor, or someone looking to build lasting value, this episode is packed with strategy, insight, and inspiration. — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter Need support scaling leadership or culture? Let’s talk: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/contact-us

How do you take a healthcare innovation from lab to market—without losing your shot at impact? In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Sasha Schrode, CEO of FEMSelect, shares her founder journey from licensing IP out of the University of Pennsylvania to raising venture capital, securing FDA approval, and selling her first company. Now leading FEMSelect, Sasha reveals the hard-won lessons from navigating regulatory hurdles, reimbursement pathways, and clinical validation. She also explains how a personal cancer diagnosis in her 30s reshaped her purpose—and why falling in love with the problem, not the solution, is what separates great CEOs from the rest. You’ll learn: • Why less than 1% of healthcare innovation reaches patients • The 3 filters every founder must apply before building a company • How to test product-market fit with real clinicians • How to think like an investor—and what VCs get wrong • Why the most successful CEOs start as learners Chapters 00:00 The Journey from Diagnosis to Innovation 13:18 Understanding Market Viability and Clinical Need 22:43 The Iteration Process in Med Tech 24:20 Insights on Raising Capital and Exiting 27:24 Common Mistakes in Commercialization 32:00 First Steps for Aspiring Innovators This is your masterclass on building medtech with purpose, discipline, and market-ready strategy. — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter Need support scaling leadership or culture? Let’s talk: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/contact-us

What happens when you bet on people instead of acquisitions? In this insightful episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Pia Ostos, EVP and Chief Performance Officer at Inmar Intelligence, shares how prioritizing leadership training fueled explosive business growth and transformed company culture. By investing in leadership development and embedding clear leadership standards into performance reviews, she redefined HR from a cost center to a powerful business performance accelerator. Through a culture of accountability and a commitment to experimentation, Pia’s approach drove sustained growth without relying on acquisitions. You’ll discover the six key leadership behaviors that inspire innovation and accountability, why leadership investment is critical to shifting culture from the top down, and how measurable leadership development strategies translate into real revenue impacts. Tune in to gain a blueprint for transforming leadership and culture into your organization’s strongest competitive advantage, especially in fast-paced, high-stakes business environments. Join the conversation to learn how leadership, culture, and performance intertwine to drive outstanding business results. Chapters: 00:00 Transforming Leadership into a Growth Engine 06:31 Establishing Centers of Excellence 16:08 Innovating for Sustainable Growth 24:18 Building a Culture of Experimentation 26:02 Setting Core Leadership Standards 30:40 Measuring and Rewarding Leadership Behaviors 35:06 Leadership Development as a Growth Strategy 39:26 Advice for Building a High-Performing Culture — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter Need support scaling leadership or culture? Let’s talk: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/contact-us

When private equity enters the picture, alignment becomes everything. But how do you keep employees motivated through uncertainty? Start with equity. Former private equity backed CEO Adam Coffey explains how incentive equity—not just stock options—can drive performance, increase retention, and turn employees into value creators. Whether you’re leading through a merger, scaling a business, or navigating cultural change, equity can be your secret weapon—if you structure it right. You’ll learn: • Why equity is more powerful than bonuses • How to design incentive plans that actually motivate • The biggest mistakes leaders make when sharing equity • What PE firms get right—and wrong—about employee alignment • Why culture, transparency, and communication still matter most This is your blueprint for using equity to fuel engagement, ownership, and long-term success—especially in high-stakes environments like private equity. Chapters: 00:00 The Challenge of Alignment in Private Equity 11:24 Cultural Missteps and Leadership Alignment 18:52 Incentivizing Employees for Success 25:49 Navigating Challenges and Maintaining Alignment 31:28 The Role of Communication in Leadership — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter Need support scaling leadership or culture? Let’s talk: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/contact-us

Join Tim Ringel, CEO of Meet, as he shares his unique experience of having 10 companies work together under one roof. In this insightful video, Tim reveals the challenges, benefits, and surprises that come with such an innovative setup. From collaboration and creativity to potential conflicts and logistical hurdles, Tim provides a candid look at what happens when multiple companies come together in a shared space. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or simply curious about innovative work environments, this video is a must-watch. Discover the pros and cons of this unconventional approach and learn how it can impact productivity, innovation, and company culture. Tune in to find out what happens when 10 companies work under one roof and how it can inspire your own business strategies. We explore: • Why cultural integration is harder—and more important—than merging numbers • How authentic leadership builds trust and alignment post-acquisition • Why creatives need freedom to ideate and fail forward • How diversity fuels creativity and innovation in merged companies • The balance between economic reality and creative culture in M&A • What leaders can do to sustain authenticity through uncertainty Chapters 00:00 Navigating Cultural Clashes in Business 11:47 The Journey of Scaling Agencies 16:36 Merging Cultures vs. Numbers 24:25 Fostering Creativity in a Digital Age 36:19 The Importance of Authenticity and Trust Whether you’re leading a merger, scaling a business, or reimagining culture after acquisition, Tim’s insights reveal what it takes to integrate not just companies—but people. — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter Need support scaling leadership or culture? Let’s talk: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/contact-us

In this episode, Roman Axelrod, founder and CEO of Xpanceo, shares the bold vision behind raising capital - $290M to create smart contact lenses designed to expand human capability. From building prototypes to leading a deep-tech team, Roman opens up about the real challenges of turning science fiction into science fact. He discusses the grit it takes to lead a company operating at the edge of innovation—and how clarity, communication, and conviction become non-negotiables in the process. We explore: • The role of storytelling in raising capital for moonshot ideas • Why prototypes matter more than PowerPoints in deep tech • How to attract world-class talent in a hyper-competitive market • What makes co-founder relationships thrive under pressure • How creativity and discipline coexist in breakthrough innovation Whether you’re a founder, investor, or future-focused leader, Roman’s journey offers powerful lessons on building what doesn’t yet exist—and getting others to believe in it. — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy. Chapters 00:00 The Vision Behind Xpanceo 10:16 Challenges and Reactions to the Idea 14:14 Building a Deep Tech Company 17:22 Motivating a High-Stakes Team 21:47 The Importance of Prototypes 23:58 Recruiting Top Talent in Deep Tech 27:35 The Co-Founder Dynamic 31:14 Communication and Leadership in High-Stakes Environments 34:42 Cultivating Creativity and Vision 39:49 Looking Ahead: The Future of Xpanceo

Felicia Shakiba looks back at how far the podcast has come—and sets the stage for an even bolder season ahead. In this special episode, she teases the power-packed stories coming in Season 4, spotlights what leadership really means today, and unveils new tools designed to help leaders rise, adapt, and thrive.

In the Season 3 finale, Pluri CEO Yaky Yanay joins Felicia Shakiba for a powerful conversation on leading transformation through trust, transparency, and bold vision. He shares how he redefined Pluri’s identity—from pharma to cell-based tech innovator—while building a culture that puts people, purpose, and innovation first. A high-stakes, high-insight episode on what true leadership looks like in times of change. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Culture in Leadership 12:11 Navigating Organizational Transformation 17:53 Overcoming Resistance to Change 26:47 Building Trust Through Transparency 31:05 Expanding Vision Without Losing Focus 36:45 Advice for Leaders in Times of Change

Generative AI may be rewriting the rules, but Felicia Shakiba and Claurelle Rakipovic, Chief Product Officer at Pipe, break down what real product leadership looks like. From customer empathy to AI missteps, Claurelle shares sharp lessons on building products that can actually hold their ground. Chapters 00:00 Building Defensible Products in the Age of AI 01:50 Understanding Defensibility Beyond Automation 04:30 Learning from AI Missteps 09:26 Internal Testing and AI Adoption 14:39 New Competencies for Product Leaders 19:47 The Importance of Unique Data 23:49 Empathy in AI Product Development 27:39 Auditing AI for Value Delivery

In the world of private equity and high-stakes M&A, financials are only half the story. The real differentiator? Leadership. This episode explores what leadership qualities truly drive success in mergers and acquisitions, why most private equity due diligence efforts fall short on the people's front, and how to assess leaders before the deal is signed. Our guest is Cameron Bishop Partner and Managing Director at Raincatcher Investment Bankers. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of People in M&A Success 02:48 Cultural Missteps in Private Equity Acquisitions 05:44 Aligning Leadership Post-Acquisition 08:15 The Role of Communication in Corporate Culture 11:04 Integrating Multiple Cultures 13:37 Data-Driven Decision Making in M&A 16:06 Incentivizing Employees for Success 18:54 Identifying and Nurturing Talent 21:43 Achieving Alignment in Leadership 24:44 The Continuous Journey of Alignment

Matt Lewis unpacks the realities of AI transformation inside organizations — and what happens when AI takes our jobs. He shares stories of employees navigating the emotional fallout of AI, the role of leadership in reducing resistance, and how identity and self-worth shape the success of change initiatives. Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for guiding teams through AI-driven transformation with clarity and empathy. 00:00 Navigating Personal Challenges and Professional Growth 05:30 Real Stories of Emotional Fallout 11:42 Subtle Signs of Resistance 19:55 Communicating Change Effectively 27:32 Understanding Organizational Dynamics During Transformation 34:38 TransferMental: A New Approach to AI Transformation 40:24 Identity and Emotional Complexity in AI Disruption

What does it really take to lead lasting change inside an organization? Lyon Kassab, Managing General Partner at BoCG Ventures, breaks it down in this episode on organizational change management and how the lack thereof, can cost millions. From the silent weight middle managers carry to the culture shifts that make or break transformation, Lyon shares sharp insights on trust, transparency, and measuring what matters. If you’re tired of buzzwords and want the real mechanics of driving change—this one’s for you.

Felicia Shakiba and Vikash Jha pull back the curtain on how private equity really sizes up leadership during acquisitions for business growth. From reading the silent signals to decoding executive chemistry, they reveal the high-stakes art of aligning leaders with ambitious growth plays. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Leadership Evaluation in Private Equity Due Diligence 03:07 Identifying Leadership Fit: Early Warning Signs 07:49 The Strategy Behind Leadership Retention 12:16 Cultural Integration: The Key to Successful Acquisitions 14:50 Investing in Leadership Development vs. Replacement 17:12 Communicating Change: Engaging Leadership and Employees 20:44 Best Practices for Retaining Talent Post-Acquisition 22:33 Checklist for Assessing Leadership During Acquisitions

How can executives build authentic confidence and overcome self-doubt? Kip Knippel, President & CEO of KIP Search, shares actionable strategies for navigating imposter syndrome, embracing risk-taking, and leading with clarity. Discover how mentorship, direct communication, and self-awareness help women thrive in male-dominated leadership roles. Learn how to build resilience, strengthen executive presence, and shape a culture where confident leaders grow and succeed.

How can HR leaders move beyond surveys to drive real business outcomes? Scott Leuchter, Global Chief People Officer at Ideal Tridon Group, shares how predictive analytics uncovers key drivers of performance, retention, and productivity. Learn how data-driven assessments, feedback loops, and smart change management can transform employee experience into measurable business impact.

How can private equity leaders align fast growth with long-term mission? Manna Tree’s Co-Founder Ross Iverson shares how founder-investor alignment drives execution, protects purpose, and reduces risk. From navigating CEO transitions to using Gestalt protocols and trust-building retreats, Ross breaks down how great governance turns alignment into a competitive edge in high-stakes environments.

How can companies harness Responsible AI without losing the human touch? PepsiCo’s VP of People Solutions, Mark Sankarsingh, shares how the company boosts productivity and streamlines HR—while safeguarding trust, ethics, and human judgment. Learn how to lead with integrity as you scale teams and adopt AI in a digital-first world.

What does it take to be a transformational CFO today? Former Citigroup Divisional CFO Roman Labutin shares how the role is evolving—blending data-driven decisions with people-first leadership, cross-cultural trust, and strategic partnerships with HR on comp, succession, and org design.